The Columbia Fire Department Honor
Guard

With the encouragement of Training Officer
Gary Warren Sr., a group of about seven people started
a formal honor guard in 1991. Prior to this, if a
need arose for a formal ceremony a call would go out
to those who had dress uniforms to assist in the event.
Although the newly-formed honor guard was dedicated,
the first year was not easy. Most of the members had
little or no formal training in drill and ceremony.
With a dream of competing in the National Competition
which was held during the Fire Department Instructors
Conference, they enlisted the help of Ray Reese. Having
recently left the Air Force, Ray had served on an
honor guard and donated his time to become Drill Sergeant
for the group. After three months of practicing two
to three times a week, the Honor Guard won its first
national championship, beating out defending champion,
Atlanta, Georgia.

Following their impressive start with
three more National Championships (1993, 1999, and
2000) as well as a second place finish (1998) and
a third place finish (1997), the Honor Guard continues
to be recognized as one of the finest Fire Department
Honor Guards in the nation.

The Columbia Fire Department Honor Guard
has performed at various events, including trips to
the National Fallen Firefighter's Memorial in Emmitsburg,
Maryland, opening sporting events at the University
of Missouri, and functions with President George Bush
and Missouri Governors Ashcroft and Carnahan. They
routinely perform in local parades and opening ceremonies
around the state as well as funerals of fire department
members.

To learn more about this group or about
our countries heritage view the links below.